"One should either write ruthlessly what one believes to be the truth, or else shut up." — Arthur Koestler

UPDATE 10:40 a.m. CT:
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — Rep. Michele Bachammn just announced she would quit the 2012 presidential race. She praised God and spoke about the Founders of the American Republic, vowing her continued determination to repeal ObamaCare, calling it a formula for leading America down the road to socialism.

UPDATE 10:55 a.m. CT: Bachmann’s speech here was, in some ways, typical of her campaign, including the fact that it began 20 minutes past the scheduled time. She was almost constantly behind schedule during her travels here.

Also, an event that a media advisory announced as an “availability” — a term that usually means “press conference” — was in fact just a speech. The candidate took no questions. Afterwards, her press secretary Alice Stewart spoke to a gaggle of reporters for about 10 minutes. Stewart said that Bachmann has no plans to endorse any other candidate at this point.

But of course, plans change. Bachmann had plans last night to continue her campaign, Stewart said, but woke up this morning and decided to quit the race.

“Last night, the people of Iowa spoke with a very clear voice, so I have decided to stand aside,” Bachmann said at a news conference, flanked by her parents, husband and five children. “I have no regrets, none whatsoever. We never compromised our principles and we can leave this race knowing we ran it with the utmost integrity.”

Just spoke to Alice Stewart again. I told her that when I was complaining about the disastrous communications operation of the Herman Cain campaign, I forwarded Alice’s press releases to J.D. Gordon and Mark Block with notes: “This is what a campaign ‘media advisory’ looks like!”

I’ve always liked Bachmann, and still do, and the role she played in this campaign was at times crucial. It was her remark during the September 12 Tampa debate — “innocent little 12-year-old girls” — that put the first serious wound into Rick Perry. And her phrase “Newt Romney,” lumping Gingrich in with the moderate Massachusetts governor, did a lot to undermine Gingrich’s credibility as a Tea Party candidate.

So why, you may ask, did I jump from the Cain Train to the Santorum Express, rather than shifting my focus to Bachmann? I don’t really know. Sometimes, I think, you just go where God leads you and take whatever you find there. And I hope that Michele Bachmann finds only blessings and joy in wherever God leads her now.

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*** PREVIOUSLY (9:35 a.m. CT) ***

JOHNSTON, Iowa
So much for sleeping in on the day after the caucuses, huh? She is expected to announce she’s quitting, but who knows, In a crazy year like this, what she might do? But if this is the last time I get to see her on the campaign trail, I can’t miss it.

Now I’ve got to get ready for a 10 a.m. CT press conference on the other side of Des Moines, which will probably delay my packing up here at the National Affairs Desk until past checkout time.

Comments

Perry should stick it out till South Carolina (and then probably drop out if he does not catch fire). Bachmann should give her support to Santorum now.

Thanks Michelle. It is not your time yet.

http://www.granitegrok.com Mike Rogers

Agree. Bachmann is a great conservative, but not an executive, yet.
Perry’s been the big disappointment of the season. Mr 10th amendment and states rights in the year of the Tea Party, and he could not catch fire. Not sure if it helps to keep him in at this point.

Perry is going to fuck everything up. He’s going on to South Carolina, and that means more than likely Mitt will win that state, which would make three in a row, because he is definitely going to win New Hampshire. Santorum should just skip New Hampshire and concentrate on South Carolina. If Perry would just do the right thing and get his ass out, Santorum might win it. He can afford to skip New Hampshire. Really, he probably can’t afford not to.

Anonymous

But if RSM is homely hickory, what does that make Debbie Wasserman-Schulz?

Is this a quiz?…a wet noodle?…A reason to invest in the “eye bleach” market?…If you were a single guy, someone you definitely wouldn’t want to wake up to the next morning?….or as we used to say back in the day, a coyote date, where you chew your arm off to keep from waking her up.

Some of you people need to get off the drugs and wake up to reality. Mitt’s going to be your nominee. Save yourself some heart-ache. Get used to it.

Pathfinder’s wife

You are probably right, but that does not mean anyone should quit voting there conscience nonetheless.
And if everyone does that, there is the offhand chance you will be proven wrong.

http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/EU5DQWQTTHTPO4A4ZYSL3AAV2U Adjoran

Meanwhile, your would-be dictator continues to screw the country. His one accomplishment is demonstrating indisputably that leftist policies do nothing but explode the size and cost of government.

Not only would any of our candidates be a better President, so would whatever they flushed down their hotel toilets this morning.

http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/EU5DQWQTTHTPO4A4ZYSL3AAV2U Adjoran

Bachmann had to decide whether or not it worth giving up her congressional seat to continue, as the deadline looms for her there.

Many will point out she “peaked too soon” in winning Ames, but the truth is her resume was always too thin to qualify her to be President. No administrative experience, no notable legislative accomplishments. If all you needed to be President was the ability to give a speech, then Obama and his teleprompter might even be competent.

http://www.redstateeclectic.typepad.com AngelaTC

I actually agree with you . I think that Perry needs to cut a deal with the GOP, meaning that he should quit, endorse Romney, and then assume his position as the next-in-line.

http://www.redstateeclectic.typepad.com AngelaTC

I think she has until June to file for the seat. That “looming” is a bit of an overreach.

http://www.leftbankofthecharles.com/ Charles

Sorry Republican politics has too much nuance for you, Anamika.

These caucuses and primaries are not just about winning they are also about positioning: getting in line for 2016 or 2020, getting in line for VP, getting in line if Romney flaters at the polls or falls to scandal.

Romney still has to beat Santorum decisively and fend off Paul. And given the double digit result, if Gingrich stays in, no reason for Perry not to stay in too.

http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/EU5DQWQTTHTPO4A4ZYSL3AAV2U Adjoran

If she waits, she may find herself with a primary campaign after someone else jumps in.

http://qwertyaltofuori.blogspot.com Red

BOO.

http://qwertyaltofuori.blogspot.com Red

I’m going down swinging.

http://thecampofthesaints.org Bob Belvedere

I’m glad she’s dropped out, but only because I believe Mrs. Bachmann is better suited to the kind of hand-to-hand combat and trench warfare that is to be found in our House Of Representatives. With the right people at her side, she would make a damn fine Speaker and I have no doubt she would relentlessly hound and batter the Democrats and RINO’s.

http://thecampofthesaints.org Bob Belvedere

I second Red’s motion!

http://qwertyaltofuori.blogspot.com Red

I second Bob’s second!

http://thecampofthesaints.org Bob Belvedere

Hear, hear!

Breitbart could hire him.

Anonymous

I think that’s out of order, parliamentarily speaking . . .

Anonymous

I doubt that anyone in the Sixth CD is going to primary her. Suspect most Republicans in her district support her for the sheer joy of seeing the DFLers’ heads explode every other year when despite all they and the LSM can do, Bachmann beats their Great White Hope.

http://qwertyaltofuori.blogspot.com Red

Even though Tilson’s Manual and Mason’s Manual are of the opinion that seconding a motion is unnecessary in this day and age, I still dig it. I write my own rules ;-D